Method of making multi-color slide transparencies with superimposed images

ABSTRACT

The process uses the steps of double exposing a film to two specifically selected colors for the purpose of achieving a third color on the transparency. After the film has been exposed to one color to provide a background color, a layer containing an image of a second different color is exposed to the film within the area of the background color so that a latent image of a third color is produced on the film corresponding to the image of the layer.

United States Patent Podesta et al.

METHOD OF MAKING MULTI-COLOR SLIDE TRANSPARENCIES WITH SUPERIMPOSED IMAGES Inventors: Dorothy A. Podesta, Bronx; Judy L.

Cardlllo, Yonkers; Nancy E. Eisele, Pleasantville, all of N.Y.; Eileen Fox, Brookfield Center, Conn.; Margaret L. Neste, Mahopac, NY.

Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc., New York, NY.

Filed: Apr. 5, 1971 Appl. No.2 131,190

Assignee:

US. Cl 355/88, 95/12.2, 352/42, 355/32, 355/132 Int. Cl. G03b 27/04 Field of Search 355/88, 79, 32, 77, 355/132; 95/12.2; 96/24, 25; 352/67, 42

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1938 Peck 355/132 June 26, 1973 9/1961 Bamhart 355/32 X OTHER PUBLICATIONS Three Color Photography pg. 219 in Photographic Optics 8:. Color Photography by George L. Johnson.

Primary ExaminerRichard L. Moses Attorney-Kenyon & Kenyon Reilly Carr & Chapin image of the layer.

16 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures UNEX POSED AREA EQUATOR l3 IMAGE-GREEN COLOR -lo DOUBLE EXPOSED FILM IMAGE-YELLOW COLOR PAIENIEnJum ms FIG. 1

OPAOUE BLACK BACKGROUND 2 ,--lMAGE GREEN COLOR OPAQUE BLACK FIG. 4;

FIG. 3

FIG. 2

OPAQUE BLACK BACKGROUND l 6 E OUATO R I I0 UNEXPOSED FILM LATENT BPIMAGE-GREEN COLOR /|OEXPOSED FILM FIG. 5

.EQUATOR I |7 *IO DOUBLE EXPOSED FILM IMAGE-YELLOW COLOR 1 METHOD OF MAKING MULTI-COLOR SLIDE TRANSPARENCIES WITH SUPERIMPOSED IMAGES This invention relates to a process for superimposing differently colored images on each other in the production of a slide transparency.

It has been known, as set forth in US. Pat. No. 3,600,087, to produce slide transparencies of high intensity colors and quality for projection in daylight. Generally, where such a slide transparency is to have a colored background area thereon with superimposed lettering or other image thereon, it has been necessary to prepare two separate layers of overlays of transparent gels which can be precisely registered with respect to each other for successive exposures to unexposed areas of a film. For example, in order to produce a slide containing an image of the Earth with a line thereon representative of and labelled equator, one layer would be prepared with a transparent colored gel area thereon representative of the Earth image with the term equator blocked out within the image area, as by an opaque black ink or opaque film. A second layer would'also be prepared containing the term equator colored and defined by a second transparent gel with the remainder of the layer being completely opaque black. The first layer would then be exposed to the film to produce a colored latent image on the film corresponding to the image on the layer along with a blocked out area corresponding to the term equator. The second layer would then be exactly registered with the film so that the colored lettering would be aligned over the blocked out area on the film. The second layer would then be exposed to give color to the blocked out area. This technique has, however, been found to be unable to guarantee perfect registration when coloring small areas or thin letters within a larger colored area as the slightest shifting of one of the layers or the shrinkage of one of these layers due to temperature change and the like can cause a ghosted image on the film and resultant slide transparency.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to ensure registration of successively exposed colored images to a film for producing a slide transparency.

It is another object ofthe invention to provide a technique in which a colored image can be superimposed on a latent image of a previously exposed and differently colored image to produce a multi-color slide transparency.

Briefly, the invention provides a process in which a first layer containing a first colored image against a background of opaque black is exposed to a film and thereafter a second layer containing a second colored image is exposed to the previously exposed area of the film to produce a second image within the doubly exposed area of a third color. The film is then used as is known to produce slide transparencies of multi-color with an image corresponding to the first image and a differently colored second image within the first image.

It is to be noted that controlled double exposing, or burn out, in which two specifically selected colors are deliberately double exposed for the purpose of achieving a third different color has been known. Generally, this phenomena of photography usually results in the film being ruined or washed out by the exposure of one imagedirectly over the same area of another image. However, in the present invention, it has been found that this burn out technique can be used to obtain advantageous results when certain color combinations are double exposed to a film to obtain a desired third color on the film. This is especially effective where it is necessary to color a very small area within a larger area of a different color.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a first layer containing a transparent colored gel area utilized in the process of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an unexposed film utilized in the process of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates the film of FIG. 2 exposed once in accordance with the process of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a second layer containing a transparent colored gel area defined by the term equator;

FIG. 5 illustrates a view similar to FIG. 3 of the singly exposed film for juxtaposition with the layer of FIG. 4; and

FIG.- 6 illustrates the film of FIG. 5 exposed twice.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in order to carryout the process, an unexposed film 10 (FIG. 2) is positioned at a predetermined position and a first layer 1 1 containing a transparent colored area 12 thereon defined by a transparent colored gel is positioned in alignment with the film 10. Thereafter, the transparent colored area 12 of the layer 1 1 is exposed to the film 10 such as by passing light such as white light through the transparent colored area 12 towards the film 10. This causes a latent background image 13 (FIG. 3) to be formed on the exposed film 10 corresponding to the shape and color of the transparent area 12 of the layer. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the first layer is used to form a latent image 13 on the film 10 which represents the spheroid Earth as a solid disc of color with a line 14 passing through the image 13 corresponding to the equitorial line of the Earth. The image 13 is further of a color, such as, green corresponding to the transparent gel while the surrounding background and the equitorial line 14 is opaque black. By using an opaque black, as is known, the film 10 is not exposed when light is passed through the transparent area 12 of the layer 11.

Next, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 the first layer is re placed by a second layer 15 containing a transparent area 16 defined by a transparent colored gel ofa different color from the first. This second layer 15 is aligned with the exposed film 10 so that the transparent area 16 thereon is aligned within the latent background image 13 on the film 10. The transparent area 16 of the second layer 15 (FIG. 4) is then exposed to the film 10 (FIG. 5) so as to form a second latent image 17 on the film 10 within the latent background image 13 which is ofa third color different from the colors of the gel of the two layers 11, 15. For example, referring to FIG. 4, the transparent area 16 of the second layer 15 defines the lettering for the term equator so that a latent image 17 corresponding to this term is superimposed on the background image 13 of the double exposed film 10 Where the transparent gel of the second layer is of an orange color, the latent image 17 of the term equator" formed on the film 10 is yellow in color.

In some embodiments, it is possible to align a number of colored layers of transparent gels with each other for single exposure to the film in order to produce either or both of the latent background image and latent superimposed image. Further, in the case of the latent background image, these layers can be of different colors so as to produce a latent backround image of a color corresponding to the mixture of colors of the layers.

In addition to the above example, the superimposing of different color combinations have been found to obtain usable third colors. However, some experiments have been carried out on a number of color combinations which have not produced a usable image.

In order to provide a guideline for determining which color combinations are acceptable and which are not, the following table is set forth of those color combinations which have been tested. In this table, the numerical color code represents the code used by Rosco Laboratories Inc., for transparent colored gels manufactured thereby under the name ROSCOGEL. It is noted, however, that any suitable transparent colored gels can be used in accordance with the process described above.

(Number in parentheses signifies number of layers of color used) olor Resulting Background Color Exposed into Third 7 Background Color Color (1)278 & (1)217 (2)212 Yellow (1)213 Yellow (2)215 Orange (2)216 Orange (1 )217 Orange (1)219 Orange (2)275 Light Blue (2)278 Light Green (1)220 Dark Orange (1)221 Dark Orange (2)227 Light Pink (2)230 Salmon (2)232 Salmon (2)236 Pink (2)245 Pink (1)246 Dark Pink (1)214& (2)252 (2)212 Yellow (1)213 Yellow (2)215 Orange (2)216 Light Orange (1)217 Dark Orange 1 (1 )219 Dark Orange (1)214 & (2)252 (2)275 Light Blue (2)278 Light Green (1)220 Red Orange (1)221 Red Orange (2)227 Light Pink (2)230 Dark Pink (2)232 Dark Pink (2)236 Light Pink (2)245 Light Pink (1)246 Dark Pink (1)232 & (1)278 (2)212 Yellow (1)213 Yellow (2)215 Dark Orange (2)216 Light Orange (1)217 Orange (1)219 Dark Orange (2)275 Light Blue (2)278 Yellow Green 1)220 Red (1)221 Red (2)227 Light Pink (2)230 Salmon (2)232 Salmon (2)236 Lt. Pink (1)214 & (2)252 (2)275 Light Blue (2)278 Light Green (1)220 Red Orange (1)221 Red Orange (2)227 Light Pink (2)230 Dark Pink (2)232 Dark Pink (2)236 Light Pink (2)245 Light Pink (1)246 Dark Pink (1)232 84 (1)278 (2)212 Yellow (1)213 Yellow (2)215 Dark Orange (2)216 Light Orange (1)217 Orange (1)219 Dark Orange (2)275 Light Blue (1)220 232 & 278

(2)278 l )220 l )221 (2)227 (2)230 (2)232 (2)236 (2)245 l )246 (2)212 l )213 (2)215 (2)216 l )217 l )219 (2)275 (2)278 (l )220 l )221 (2)227 (2)230 (2)232 (2)236 (2)245 1 )246 (2)212 & (2)252 l )278 & l )232 (3)220 l )212 & l )254 (2)212 1)221 (2)227 (2)230 (2)232 (2)236 (2)245 l )246 (2)212 l )213 (2)215 (2)216 l )217 l )219 (2)275 (2)278 l )220 l )221 (2)227 (2)230 (2)232 (2)236 (2)245 l )246 (2)212 l )213 (2)215 (2)216 l )217 l )219 (2)275 (2)278 (3)242 (3)254 (2)212 & (2)252 l )278 & l )232 (3)220 (2)274 [)274 l )212 & l )254 (2 )212 & (2)252 Yellow Green Red Red Light Pink Salmon Salmon Lt. Pink Medium Pink Dark Pink Yellow Yellow Orange Orange Orange Orange Light Blue Yellow Green Pink Pink Lt Pink Pink Pink

Pink

Pink

Unusable color Gray blue Unusable color Yellow Unusable color Lt Orange Lt Yellow Yellow Yellow Yellow Yellow Yellow Yellow Unusable color Unusable color Dark Orange Orange Yellow Yellow Green Blue Green Blue Green Yellow Yellow Orange Orange Orange Orange Lt Blue Lt Green Orange Orange Lt Pink Salmon Salmon Lt Pink Pink Pink

Yellow Yellow Orange Orange Dk Orange Dk Orange Lt Blue Yellow Green Red Red Pink

Salmon Salmon Pink Pink

Dk Pink Yellow Yellow Orange Lt Orange Unusable color Unusable color Lt Pink Yellow Unusable color Unusable color Orange Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Orange Unusable color Unusable color (2)232 & (1)278 (1)232 &(1)278 232 & 278

(2)227 & (1)278 (2)281 & (1)212 1 )232 & l )278 (3 )220 (2)212 & (2)252 1 )278 & 1 )232 (3)220 1 )212 & 1 )254 (3)242 (2)212 & (2)252 l )278 & l )232 (3)220 (2)212 & (2)252 l )278 & l )232 (3)220 l )212 & 1 )254 (2)212 (2)212 & (2)252 l )278 8L 1 )232 (3 )220 l )212 & l )254 (3)242 (2)212 84 (2)252 l )278 & l )232 (3)220 (2)274 (1)212&( l)254 (3)242 (1)278 & (1)232 (3)220 (l)2l2.&. (1)254 (3)242 (3)254 (2)2l2& (2)252 (1)278 & (1)232 (3)220 274 (l)2l2& (1)254 (3)242 (2)212 & (2)252 (1)278& (1)232 (3)220 274 (1)212 & (1) 254 (2)220 Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Yellow Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Pink Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Yellow Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Yellow Yellow Yellow Yellow Yellow Yellow Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color White White Lt Pink White Pink Pink

Unusable color Lt Blue Lavender Pink Unusable color Yellow Lt Blue Lt Green Yellow Lavender Lavender Lavender Yellow Orange Red Unusable color Unusable color Yellow Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Orange Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Lavender Unusable color Lt Orange Unusable color Orange Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Gray Blue Yellow Yellow Orange Unusable color Unusable color Yellow Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Orange Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color (2 232& (1)278 (2)216 (2)278 (2)275 (2)245 1 )246 (3)212 l )276 (3)220 (2)216 (3)212 (2)278 (2)244 1 )213 84 l )278 (2)275 (1 )278 8 l )217 (2)232 (2)275 (2)278 l )246 (2)220 (3)215 l )250 1 )248 (3)220 1 )246 1)255 (2)275 (2)278 (2)232 1)276 (2)282 (2)232 (2)275 (2)278 (2)282 (2)220 1 )217 & l )278 l )256 l )248 (2)278 (3)212 (2)210 (2)275 l )246 l )256 (2)237 (3)213 (2)217 l )246 (2)220 (2)213 & 1 )254 l )256 (2)278 (2)275 (3)212 (2)220 (2)216 (2)275 1 )246 (3)254 (3)214 1 )256 (3)213 (2)216 l )246 (2)220 (2)237 (2)271 (2)278 (2)275 (2)254 (2)237 (2)220 (2)215 (2)275 (2)278 (3)212 (2)255 (2)278 (2)219 (3)220 (2)275 1 )246 l )256 (2)271 (2)282 BASIC COLOR KEY 202 Bastard Amber 203 Dark Bastard Amber 204 No Color Straw 205 Light Straw 206 Medium Lemon Unusable color Light Green Light blue Unusable color Lavender Yellow Unusable color Pink Orange Yellow Lt. Green Pink Yellow Lt Blue Lt. Orange Pink Blue Green Pink Pink

Lt. Pink Unusable color Unusable color Pink Unusable color Lt. Blue Lt. Blue Lt Blue Pink Lt. Blue Unusable color Light Pink blue Light green Light Pink Pink Flesh Unusable color Pink Yellow Yellow Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Pink Yellow Yellow Unusable color Yellow Unusable color Unusable color Green Unusable color Yellow Unusable color Orange Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Yellow Pink Yellow Lt. Orange Pink Orange Pink Unusable color Unusable color Unusable color Lavender Pink Unusable color Orange Lt. Blue Lt. Green Yellow Lavender Lt. Blue Pink Pink

Blue

Pink

Unusable color Unusable color Gray 207 Dark Lemon 208 Medium Straw 209 Straw 210 No Color Amber 211 Flame 212 Pale Amber 213 Light Amber 214 Medium Amber 215 Golden Amber 216 Amber 217 Dark Amber 218 Orange 219 Orange Amber 220 Pink Red 221 Light Red 222 Fire Red 223 Medium Red 224 Pure Red 225 No Color Pink 226 Flesh Pink 227 Light Shubert Pink 228 Shubert Pink 229 Medium Pink 230 -'Medium Pink 231 Deep Pink 232 Rose Pink 233 Dark Rose Pink 236 Light Magenta 237 Medium Magenta 238 Dark Magenta 239 Rose Purple 240 Violet 242 Surprise Pink 243 Medium Lavender 244 Dark Lavender 245 Light Purple 246 Medium Purple 247 Dark Purple 248 Royal Purple 250 No Color Blue 251 Daylight Blue 252 Pale Blue 253 Light Sky Blue BASIC COLOR KEY CONTINUED 254 Special Steel Blue 255 Azure Blue 256 Light Blue 257 Medium Blue 258 Light Green Blue 259 Green Blue [Moonlight] 260 Sky Blue 262 Medium Blue 263 Medium Blue 264 Urban Blue- 265 Dark Blue 266 Dark Urban Blue 267 Dark Blue 270 Pale Green 271 Light Green 272 Medium Green 273 Medium Green 274 Dark Green 275 Light Blue Green 276 Blue Green 277 Medium Blue Green 278 Yellow Green 280 Gray 281 Chocolate 282 Special Chocolate The invention thus provides a process in which a second latent image of a different color can be superimposed over a latent background image previously formed on a film for the production of a multi-color slide transparency without the need for precise registration of the layers containing the respective images from which the latent images are formed. As a result, slide transparencies can be produced from the exposed films containing sharp and precise images of different colors adjacent to and surrounding each other although the color of the superimposed image is not as intense as the color of the background image.

It is to be noted that the invention is particularly advantageous where the superimposed image is of relatively smaller area relative to the image of the background image on a film, such as where the superimposed image is lettering or numbering.

It is further noted that the type of transparent gel and film utilized in the process is similar to that as described in the above mentioned patent application. In addition, a film containing a number of superimposed images of different colors on a single background image can be produced as well as a film having a multiplicity of background colors with superimposed images of different colors. These films are useful, as in the above mentioned patent for the production of a, multiplicity of slide transparencies having brilliant and intense background colors corresponding to the intensity of a transparent gel while being free of graininess. Further, the slide transparencies can be used for daylight projection as well as darkroom projection.

What is claimed is:

1. A process of producing a multi-color slide transparency comprising the steps of positioning an unexposed film in a predetermined position;

registering a first layer containing a first transparent area thereon defined by a first transparent colored gel in alignment with said film;

exposing said first transparent area to said film to form a latent colored image thereon corresponding to said first area;

thereafter positioning a second layer containing a second transparent area thereon defined by a second different transparent colored gel in approximate alignment with said latent colored image on said film; and

exposing said second transparent area to said film to form a second latent image, on said film within said first latent image, ofa third color different from the colors of said first and second gels.

2. A process as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second latent image is of a relatively small size in relation to said first latent image.

3. A process as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second latent image is constituted by lettering.

4. In a process of producing a multi-color slide transparency wherein a film has a first latent image thereon of a color corresponding to a transparent gel the step of further exposing the film to a transparent gel of predetermined shape and different color from said first latent image within the area of said first latent image to produce a second latent image within said first latent image of a shape corresponding to said predetermined shape and of a color different from said first latent image and said transparent gel.

5. In a process as set forth in claim 4 wherein said second latent image constitutes lettering. 5

parency comprising the steps of positioning a first layer in a predetermined position aligned with a film, said first layer having an unexposed transparent area therein of a predetermined shape defined by a transparent gel of a first color;

exposing said transparent area to said film to form a first latent image on said film corresponding to said predetermined shape and said first color; thereafter aligning a second layer with the exposed film, said second layer having a transparent area therein of a predetermined shape defined by a transparent gel of a second color; and exposing said transparent area of said second layer to said film within the area of said first latent image to produce a second latent image on said film within said first latent image ofa shape corresponding to said transparent area on said second layer, and of a third color different from said first color and said second color.

8. A process as set forth in claim 7 wherein said transparent areas of said first and second layers is each surrounded by a background of opaque black.

9. A process as set forth in claim 8 wherein said transparent area of said second layer constitutes lettering.

10. A process as set forth in claim 8 wherein said transparent area of said second layer constitutes intergers.

11. A process as set forth in claim 7 wherein said second latent image is substantially smaller than said first latent image.

12. In a process of producing a multi-color slide transparency the steps of positioning at least one first layer of transparent colored gel in alignment with an unexposed film;

exposing a predetermined area of said film to at least a portion of said first layer to form a first latent background image on said film within said predetermined area of a color corresponding to said one layer;

thereafter positioning at least one second layer of transparent colored gel of a different color from said first layer in approximate alignment with the exposed film; and

exposing at least a portion of said predetermined area of said film to at least a portion of said second layer to form a second latent image, within and over said background image on said film, of a third color different from said colors of said layers.

13. A process as set forth in claim 12 wherein a plurality of layers of colored transparent gels are initially aligned with said film and exposed to said predetermined area therein.

14. A process as set forth in claim 13 wherein said plurality of layers are of different colors and said first latent background image is of a color corresponding to a mixture of said different colors.

15. A process as set forth in claim 12 wherein a plurality of layers of colored transparent gels of the same color are subsequently exposed to form said second latent image.

16. A process of producing a multi-color transparency wherein exposedfilm having a first latent image thereon of a color corresponding to a transparent gel or combination of gels is further exposed to a transparent gel or combination of gels of such shape and color as to produce a second latent image with overlap be tween the two images, the image color where there is overlap being different from the color where there is not overlap. 

2. A process as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second latent image is of a relatively small size in relation to said first latent image.
 3. A process as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second latent image is constituted by lettering.
 4. In a process of producing a multi-color slide transparency wherein a film has a first latent image thereon of a color corresponding to a transparent gel the step of further exposing the film to a transparent gel of predetermined shape and different color from said first latent image within the area of said first latent image to produce a second latent image within said first latent image of a shape corresponding to said predetermined shape and of a color different from said first latent image and said transparent gel.
 5. In a process as set forth in claim 4 wherein said second latent image constitutes lettering.
 6. In a process as set forth in claim 4 wherein said second latent image is smaller than said first latent image.
 7. A process of producing a multi-color slide transparency comprising the steps of positIoning a first layer in a predetermined position aligned with a film, said first layer having an unexposed transparent area therein of a predetermined shape defined by a transparent gel of a first color; exposing said transparent area to said film to form a first latent image on said film corresponding to said predetermined shape and said first color; thereafter aligning a second layer with the exposed film, said second layer having a transparent area therein of a predetermined shape defined by a transparent gel of a second color; and exposing said transparent area of said second layer to said film within the area of said first latent image to produce a second latent image on said film, within said first latent image of a shape corresponding to said transparent area on said second layer, and of a third color different from said first color and said second color.
 8. A process as set forth in claim 7 wherein said transparent areas of said first and second layers is each surrounded by a background of opaque black.
 9. A process as set forth in claim 8 wherein said transparent area of said second layer constitutes lettering.
 10. A process as set forth in claim 8 wherein said transparent area of said second layer constitutes intergers.
 11. A process as set forth in claim 7 wherein said second latent image is substantially smaller than said first latent image.
 12. In a process of producing a multi-color slide transparency the steps of positioning at least one first layer of transparent colored gel in alignment with an unexposed film; exposing a predetermined area of said film to at least a portion of said first layer to form a first latent background image on said film within said predetermined area of a color corresponding to said one layer; thereafter positioning at least one second layer of transparent colored gel of a different color from said first layer in approximate alignment with the exposed film; and exposing at least a portion of said predetermined area of said film to at least a portion of said second layer to form a second latent image, within and over said background image on said film, of a third color different from said colors of said layers.
 13. A process as set forth in claim 12 wherein a plurality of layers of colored transparent gels are initially aligned with said film and exposed to said predetermined area therein.
 14. A process as set forth in claim 13 wherein said plurality of layers are of different colors and said first latent background image is of a color corresponding to a mixture of said different colors.
 15. A process as set forth in claim 12 wherein a plurality of layers of colored transparent gels of the same color are subsequently exposed to form said second latent image.
 16. A process of producing a multi-color transparency wherein exposed film having a first latent image thereon of a color corresponding to a transparent gel or combination of gels is further exposed to a transparent gel or combination of gels of such shape and color as to produce a second latent image with overlap between the two images, the image color where there is overlap being different from the color where there is not overlap. 